Salem Witch Trials (1 feb 1692 año – 22 mayo 1693 año)

Descripción:

A series of accusations against supposed witches in Salem, MA. It started when three girls began behaving strangely, which the town's religious leaders took to be the result of witchcraft. The girls' family slave was accused, and the only way she could get out of being hanged was to confess and name other 'witches.' This cultivated accusations against others, with many being used to settle old scores with each other. By the end of the ordeal, over 200 people (mostly women) had been accused of and confessed to being witches, even though they had done nothing wrong in reality. Eventually, the original three girls admitted they had made up the story for fun, but Salem's religious leaders refused to back down, claiming that the accused must be guilty because of their confessions. Fourteen women and five men were hanged, and five died in jail. Additionally, one man who refused to say if he was guilty or not was sentenced to be pressed to death with stones. However, despite popular legend, there were none burned at the stake. Massachusetts Governor Sir William Phips realized the flaws in the colony's judicial system, and ordered everyone accused of witchcraft to be released. At the same time, Puritan minister Cotton Mather released a document, Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits, instructed the people not to take such accusations or confessions seriously. The witchcraft epidemic dissipated soon after.

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